THE LAST CHAPTER

Stephanie: (Suddenly drops the gun after realizing she just shot Annabelle. To the strange man, while grabbing the bag of money) Let's go!. Let's get out of here (they both run out of the house while Beatrice tries to free the Diana and the bodyguard after Annabelle collapses. Stephanie and the strange man run outside to their car when the police who had been patrolling the area stops them).

Police: (Walks out of the car and notices Stephanie holding a gun. He quickly points his gun at them) Stop!. Stop right there and drop the gun.

Stephanie: (Panics) I didn't do anything!. I didn't do anything.

Police: I said, drop the gun. (In a loud voice) Drop the gun right now!.

Stephanie: Okay, okay (suddenly throws the gun to the ground).

Police: Now, both of you, put your hands where I can see them.

Stephanie: I really didn't do anything.

Police: (In a loud voice) Right now! (they both put their hands behind their head and he makes a backup call). We've got two criminals who tried to escape from a murder scene. I repeat, we've got two criminals who tried to escape from a murder scene. I need backup right now.

At The Hospital

Diana, Beatrice and the bodyguard are standing outside of the ICU (intensive care unit) when David, Margaret and Susan suddenly arrive. They all look so worried.

David: (Almost tearing up. Refers to Annabelle) Where is she?. What happened to her?.

Maid: It was Mam Stephanie. She shot her (suddenly breaks down in tears, so does Margaret and Susan tries to console her).

David: (Suddenly angry as his eyes turn red) I'm going to kill her (turns to leave when Margaret stops him).

Margaret: No!. (Dries her cheeks and suddenly gathers her courage. She looks angrier than ever) I'm her mother and I'll kill that bitch myself. Stay here until she wakes up (starts walking away and Susan follows her).

At The Police Station

Margaret and Susan suddenly storm into the investigation room after being granted access to speak to Stephanie.

Margaret: (Suddenly grabs Stephanie's hair and pulls her to the floor, hitting her everywhere) How dare you touch my daughter?. How dare you?, how dare you?, you rotten child!.

Susan: (Cheering Margaret on) Kill that bitch!. Pull her hair off. Crazy girl! (the police run in to separate them, but Margaret doesn't let go. She continues to pull and slap her).

At The Hospital

The doctor walks out of the ICU and David approaches him.

David: Doctor, how's my wife doing?.

Doctor: You don't need to worry Mr Jones. Your wife is out of danger. We took the bullet out of her, so she's safe now.

David: (Gives a heavy sigh of relief) Thank you, thank you doc.

Doctor: No need to thank me. She'll be transferred to her ward in a few minutes.

Diana: (Suddenly tearing up) Thank you Lord (Beatrice immediately hugs her).

30 Minutes Later,

In Annabelle's Ward.

David immediately approaches Annabelle, who is still unconscious. He grabs her hand and kneels beside her, while almost tearing up.

David: Thank you, thank you, thank you. (Kisses her hand passionately) I wouldn't know what to do if you didn't survive. You went through so much and I couldn't do anything. (Suddenly starts tearing up) I'm sorry, I said I would protect you, but I couldn't. Thank you for not leaving me.

2 Weeks Later,

At Robert's and Samantha's House.

Annabelle and David are seated on the couch across from Robert and Samantha.

Annabelle: (To Robert) How have you been?.

Robert: (Nodes, while trying to smile) Good!.

Annabelle: (Grabs David's hand) This is David, my husband. I thought, I should at least introduce him.

Robert: (Turns to David) Thank you for making an honest girl out of my daughter. Can I call you son-in-law?.

David: (Nodes) Of course.

Robert: (Genuinely smiles) Thank you.

Annabelle: I may not have turned out to be the person you wanted me to be, but I'm going to fulfill my dreams as a writer. For once, I want to do what makes me happy. That is the only way I know I can be my true self. Because of David, I did graduate. I never thought it would be possible, that I would some day wear a robe and take pictures just like others do. Anyway, I'm still thankful to you. Because I studied computer, I learnt a lot and that's going to help me with my writing career. (Robert tries to speak, but Annabelle continues) I'm not angry that you decided to leave on your own. You did what was best for you at the moment and I'm happy for you. (Almost tearing up) I really wish you a happy married life.

Robert: (Suddenly starts crying as he takes off his glasses) I'm so sorry I abandoned you and your sisters. You kids mean the world to me and I'm not ashamed to say I'd be nothing without you girls.

Annabelle: I'm not going to judge you, because I've judged myself weigh too much and I realized it wasn't worth it. You do what makes you happy. I do not encourage infidelity, but when you've reached a certain point where you no longer love and value that person the way you used to, I hope you can have the courage to be honest enough so you save them from the pain of getting hurt later. The trauma my mom went through, if I could go through the same pain, I'm not so sure I'd be as strong as she is right now. (To Samantha) I hope you truly are a good person and that you can help him (refers to Robert) fill in that gap which he thought was empty. That's why you two got married, am I right?.

Robert: Thank you, thank you so much Annabelle, for acknowledging me. I hope you don't hate Samantha, she did nothing wrong. It was all me, I approached her and we got married. And I don't regret any of it.

Samantha: (To Annabelle and David after a few minutes of awkward silence) Would you like to stay for dinner?. I make really good food. Anna, you should try it.

David: (Smiles awkwardly) We'd love to stay for dinner. Thank you.

3 Years Later,

At The Therapist's Office.

Annabelle is holding her baby Ashley while talking to the same therapist she met 7-years ago.

Therapist: You have a baby now. (Smiles) She's so beautiful.

Annabelle: (Smiles back) Thank you. Her dad and I named her Ashley, Ashley Emily Jones.

Ashley: (Responds in her baby language) Ge... (laughs joyfully). Ga...ga. Mama!.

Annabelle: (Kisses her nose) Yes mommy loves you too.

Therapist: I remember the last time you came here. You've grown so much and I'm so proud of you.

Annabelle: (Smiles) Thank you so much. You really did save my life back then. I wouldn't be here today, looking into my baby's eyes and wonder how I could've given birth to such an Angel. I decided to write a book about my life's experience. I wanted to be able to share with the world that no matter what we face in life, being yourself and being courageous enough to face it all, Is the two most important things to do. I stopped being afraid a long time ago, because of so many people around me who loved me for me.

Therapist: (Smiles proudly) Beautiful!. I couldn't be anymore proud. What you did will save thousands of people out there who go through the same experience as you did. I'm so happy you finally achieved your dreams of becoming a writer.

Annabelle: Thank you so much (Annabelle walks out of the office a few minutes later to meet David outside. Ashley is excited when she sees David).

Ashley: (In her baby language, while raising her hands so David can carry her) Dada!.

David: (Smiles and carries her) Who's my little girl?. (Kisses her on the cheek and kisses Annabelle on the lips) You finished early.

Annabelle: (Smiles) I just wanted to say hi.

David: Do you want to go for a ride?. We'll stop to get some ice cream and chocolate cake that you like so much.

Annabelle: (Laughs) You know me so well.

David: I've known you all my life. (Slightly strokes her hair and caresses her cheek, staring right into her eyes) You're beautiful (kisses her passionately and they both walk into the car smiling and holding hands).

ANd WE NOW COME TO THE END OF MY STORY. THANK YOU FOR READING MY BOOK. PLEASE DO LEAVE HONEST REVIEWS AND COMMENTS ON EACH CHAPTER!!

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU!.